MARLBOROUGH – The City Council Monday night sent a rezoning proposal that will allow medical clinics in new parts of the city to the Urban Affairs Committee for review.

The zoning change, proposed by Councilor Matt Elder, would redefine medical clinics and allow them by right in the business zone, where they are currently prohibited.

The move follows a similar zoning shift approved earlier this year for dental clinics. Zoning previously lumped dentists offices and medical clinics together under one use and only allowed them by right in the Residence-C zone and the Retirement Community Residence district.

Although the dentist offices were and medical clinics are prohibited in business districts, there are some of the facilities operating there. Former Building Commissioner Steven Reid used to classify the businesses as consumer service establishments, which are allowed in the business district, instead of medical and dental clinics.

Elder said after the meeting Monday night that the zoning change will codify the ways things already operate in the city and make zoning more welcoming for new businesses that want to come into the city.

The zoning change will also add a definition of medical office/clinic, which describes the establishment as a facility with no more than three physicians practicing at one time in a space smaller than 5,000 square feet.

Attorney William Pezzoni, who helped craft the proposed ordinance, said that the facilities would be permitted to perform non-invasive surgery and other medical services.

During a public hearing on the zoning change Monday night, attorney Arthur Bergeron, who said he represents the owner of a mental health practice, also asked the City Council to consider adding in language to include mental health professionals.

Susanne Morreale Leeber, president and CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, urged the City Council to approve the ordinance, saying that the types of medical clinics that would be allowed under the proposed zoning would fulfill a need.

"Society today is looking for convenience," she said. "I would urge you to really look at this zoning."

The Urban Affairs Committee will review the proposal at an upcoming meeting.

Kendall Hatch can be reached at 508-490-7453 or khatch@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kendall_HatchMW.